INSPIRASUNS

One of the very first little blogs I wrote was recapping an evening my husband and I had several years ago. After dinner at home, he asked me if I wanted to get ice cream. We did and had a wonderful time reminiscing about the many years we have been together.

Well, last night, once again, we decided to make the ice cream run. We have a favorite place, but it’s a little bit of a trek, and maneuvering the traffic on a Friday night, nah, we weren’t interested. So we headed over to a strip mall not far from us, where they have a second store. It’s smaller, and the selection isn’t as large, which concerned my husband. He has a favorite flavor and “concoction” that he assembles, and was concerned they wouldn’t have those flavors. We wandered into the store and glanced at the flavors listed on the cases. As he suspected, his beloved peppermint ice cream was nowhere to be 😦 .

I recalled that there was another ice cream parlor just up the street in another complex and suggested we go there. He agreed, although he mentioned that he was pretty sure that would be a bust as well.

As we walked up to the second store, we noticed something. It was packed with young families. There were kids everywhere. The ice cream parlor had put old-fashioned games out on their patio, and families were playing “Jenga”, cornhole, full-size Connect Four, etc. I mean, it was like family night at the ice cream parlor!

In we went, and as he suspected, no peppermint ice cream. However, he did find a flavor that would work for this visit. We each got a scoop and wandered around checking out the various stores we hadn’t seen before. As we finished our scoops and headed back towards our car, I again looked at all the young families. Their kids were so happy, laughing, playing games. Moms and dads were participating and laughing right along with them. It was so wonderful to watch.

You know what else we noticed…Not a single electronic device in sight. Not one of those kids or parents was on a cell phone, a tablet, nope, not one. They were interacting with each other and were having an amazing time. They were creating memories together as a family. It was so refreshing.

Although this particular ice cream parlor doesn’t have my husband’s favorite flavor, I’m guessing we’ll be back. Watching the way this establishment provides opportunities for family togetherness, it’s totally worth finding another flavor 🙂 .

Just a little feel-good story, in this little blog today, friends. I encourage you to find ways to be with your family and friends like we used to. No phones or electronic gadgets. Play a board game, play a lawn game, have a picnic, or yes, go to the ice cream parlor. Be together and make the memories that will last.

Have a good day, friends.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.